American democracy cannot be great until it is good, says lawyer, Harvard professor and former governor of Massachusetts Deval Patrick. A self-identified patriot, Patrick stands behind the fundamental values and civic ideals that he believes make the US unique -- and outlines how the country has strayed from those same edicts. Calling for a collective patriotism free from cynicism and fatalism, Patrick underlines the urgency to reset national aspirations in order to save democracy.

Deval Patrick:  A different understanding of American patriotism

 A different understanding of American patriotism

True patriotism is about more than ceremony; it's living the values of equality, opportunity, and fair play, even when it’s inconvenient.

American democracy's greatness is contingent on its goodness, demanding we embody kindness, compassion, and justice in our actions.

America's greatness hinges on aligning actions with civic ideals of equality, opportunity, and justice, not just ceremonial patriotism.